One of the notes left at Portland businesses in the last two weeks.(Photo: Nina Mehlhaf/KGW)
PORTLAND, Ore. — In the past two weeks, about a dozen businesses in North Portland have received the same threatening note — featuring the black-and-white mask of the Juggalo fans — telling them to leave the neighborhood.
Employees arriving to work at restaurants and shops on November 6 found the black-and-white posters taped to their front windows, reading, "You have been targeted by the Juggalo Family to get...out."
KGW
'Juggalos' threatening Portland businesses
Juggalos are followers of hardcore hip-hop groups like the Insane Clown Posse, a duo popular in the 1990s that raps about horror scenarios and other violence. Juggalos insist following the band is simply a lifestyle, but the federal government has labeled them a criminal gang.
INSANE CLOWN POSSE:
Group loses lawsuit from fans fighting gang label
Last year, two Corvallis, Ore. men affiliated with the group made national headlines when they were arrested for beating up strangers.
Spencer Kollman, manager at Hopworks Urban Brewery, got one of the posters, but doesn't know what to make of it.
"Confusion. I have absolutely no idea. As far as I know, we have a pretty good relationship with the community, and I don't think we've made any enemies."
Kollman's coworkers say they had heard of other restaurants getting the notes in Southeast and possibly Northwest Portland.
Police said they know about the threats and haven't seen much of a Juggalo gang issue in Portland. So far, spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said there's no crime with simply posters showing up.
It could escalate to the crime of conspiracy if several people are involved in the threats.
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